Anchor for dredges



No. 624,507. Patented may 9, |899.'

' H. c. LEHMAN. 4

ANCHOR FDR DiEDIES.A

(Applicatox filed Feb. 8, 1899.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 624,507. 4 Patented May 9, |899.

H. C. LEHMAN.

ANUHUB FOR DBEDGES.

(Application filed Feb, 8, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Nr-TED STATES` 'PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY C. LEHMAN, OF MIDDLEBURY, INDIANA.

ANCHOR FOR DREDGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,507, dated May 9,1899.

Application filed February 8, 1899. Serial No. 704,925. lllo model.)

To all whom it pta/y 0072.067171.:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. LEHMAN, a citizen of the AUnited States,residing at Middlebury, in the county of Elkhart and State ofIndiana,vhave invented a new and vuseful Anchor for Dredges, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to anchors for dredges and other excavatingmachinery which employ a swinging crane or boom to carry an excavatormechanism adapted to deposit the excised material on a spoil-bank at oneside of the line of the stream or other excavation.

The chief object of the present improvement is to provide an anchormechanism of comparatively simple construction in which the barge, scow,or other carrier for the operating mechanisms may be held stationaryagainst swaying due to thel lateral swinging of the crane or boom.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangementof parts, 'which y may be operated with a minim um expenditure of powerand be readily adjusted to the grade of the banks and to inequalities inthe surface of the ground in order to secure a firm bearing for theanchor-shoe on the bank.

Y A further object ofthe invention is to provide an improved type ofbeam for the anchorshoe in which the jointed beam members are adapted tobe interlockedin firm relation one to the other when the anchor isadjusted for service.

IVith these ends in View the invention consists in the novel combinationof elements and in the const-ruction and arrangement of parts, whichwill be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

To enable others to understand the invention, I have illustrated thepreferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a front elevationof a dredger with my anchor mechanism applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a planview of one part of the anchor mechanism. Fig. 3 is a vertical section4through the structure represented by Fig.

2 and on the plane indicated by the dotted line 3 3 of Fig. 2. tailtransverse section through the hinged guide for the slidable shoe-beam,the4 plane Fig. 4 is an enlarged deof the section being indicated by thedotted line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of theshoe, illustrating the universal-joi nt connection of said shoe with itsbeam. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective View of the joint which unites thetwo members of the shoebea-m. Fig. 7 is a. modified form of clevis forsupporting and guiding the anchor-beam.

Like numeralsof reference denote like and corresponding parts in cachotthe severalfigures ot' the drawings.

In order that others Amay understand the present. improvement, Ihaveillustrated the same in connection with a familiar type of dredger,the barge or scow of which is indicated by the numeral lO, the swingingboom or crane at ll, and the bucketexcavator at 12; but I would have itunderstood that while my anchor mechanism is well adapted for use inconnection with a dredger I do not strictly limit myself to theemployment of the anchor mechanism in connection with an excavatorapparatus of this character, because I am aware that the anchormechanism may be used in connection with excavator machinery generallyto hold the carrier or frame thereof from Vibration ordisplacen1ent,wl1ich may be due to the swingingofa boom or crane.

In carrying my invention into practice in connection with a dredger Iemploy two pairs of vertical posts 13 14, which are erected on oppositesides of the barge-and are firmly secured thereto, and these uprightsare braced by a cross-beam l5, which extends horizontally across theroof of the barge and is firmly l are spaced to receive the slidableshoe-beam between themselves, and said plates 20,21 are united byaseries of bolts 23 24. The `bolts IOO 23 are fastened to theguide-plates near the u pper edges thereof, while the other bolts 24 arefastened to the guide-plates at their lower edges to serve as supportsor rests for the slidable shoe-beam.

yThe shoe-beam on one side of the barge or scow is indicated by thenumeral 16, while a similar beam on the opposite side of the barge orscow is indicated by the numeral 17. These shoe-beams are independentone from the other, and each beam is equipped with an anchor-shoe 18,the construction of which and the hinge-joint between said beam and theshoe will be hereinafter described. Each shoebeam is slidably fittedbetween a pair of the guide-plates 20 21, and it is confined therein bythe bolts 23 24, and said guide-plates for each beam are mountedpivotally on the pair of vertical points or uprights 13 14.. By thusmounting the shoe-beam it is free to slide in an endwise directionthrough the guide-plates,

Vand the guide-plates form a hinge or pivotal connection between thefixed posts and the slidable beam, whereby the beam may assu medifferent angular positions with relation to 'the vertical post and thebarge, and thus accommodate itself to the grade of the bank upon whichits anchor-shoe 1S is designed to rest.

Each shoe-beam 16 or 17 is provided with a pair of holding-plates 25,whichl extend longitudinally of the beam for a proper distance and aresecured firmly to opposite faces of the beam by the bolts 26. The plates25 are parallel to each other and have their upper edges extended abovethe top face of the beam. In these extended upper edges of the platesare formed a plurality of notches, which produce the series ofcoincident teeth 27, and these teeth have rounded working edges andbeveled neutral edges, (indicated at 23,) such beveled edges insuringthe free outward movement of the shoe-beam with relation to thelocking-bail or clevis 29. This locking-bail is pivoted at 29 in theWear-plates 19, which are fixed tothe pair of vertical posts, so thatthe locking-bail is adapted to drop into engagement with the roundededges of the teeth 27 on the plates 25 of the shoe-beam to sustain theinward thrust of the shoe-beam and prevent the inward movement of saidbeam when the anchor is in service. This lockingbail or clevis isprovided with a weighted arm 30, arranged to normally press the bail inengagement with the teeth 27 of the beam-plates 25, and said bail may belifted from engagement with the teeth by permitting the weighted end ofthe arm 30 to rest on the cross-sill 15 when the shoe-beams are raised,whereby the cant of the weighted arm 30 is arrested by the beam and thelocking-balls are disengaged automatically from the toothed plates ofthe shoe-beams on the elevation of thelatter in order to permit thebeams to be drawn inwardly for adjusting the same.

Each shoe-beam is made of two sections, which are hinged or jointedflexibly together to adapt the outer section to adjust itself to thegrade of the bank and enable the anchorshoe to obtain a firm bearing onthe bank. The lower or outer section of each shoe-beam 16 or 17 isindicated by the numeral 32, and the two sections of the beam 16 or 17and 32 are joined together by -a hinge, which is indicated in itsentirety by the numeral 33. This hinge consists of a pair of plates 34,which are fastened to the beam-sections 16 or 17, another pair of plates35, bolted to the beam-section 32, and a pivotal bolt 36. The two pairsof plates 34 35 on the two sections of the jointed beam are arranged tooverlap each other, and thereby enable the pivotal bolt 36 to passthrough the protruding ends of both pairs of plates and to extendthrough the-space at the contiguous ends of the beamsections. One of theimportant features of my invention is a novel construction of thishinge, by which the two beam-sections may be interlocked firmly togetheragainst any tendency to collapsing when the anchor is adjusted forservice, and to this endl provide the hinge-plates 34 with locking-arms37, which are extended beyond the pivotal bolt 36 and are adapted 'tobear firmly against the studs 38 on the hinge-plates 35.

Each anchor-shoe is preferably constructed of two series of bars 18n 1S,which are arranged at right angles to each other and in differenthorizontal planes to provide a substantial light construction of theshoe and secure an extended bearing-surface without increase in theweight of said shoe. Each shoe is coupled to the free extremity of thelower beam-section 32 by means of a universal hinge-joint, thatadaptstthe shoe to assume different positions relatively to the beam andto obtain a firm bearing or rest on the irregular surface of the bank.The beam-section 32 is provided at its outer extremity with a pair ofprojecting hinge-plates 39, which are bolted firmly to the beam-section32, and

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on the anchor-shoe is provided a transverse hinge-bar 40. This hinge-baris provided at its middle. with a pair of plates 41, which are boltedfirmly to said bar 40 and -extend upwardly therefrom to overlap thehinge-plates 39,and through these hinge-plates 39 41 passes a hinge-bolt42, which pivotally connects the two pairs of plates together. Thehinge-bar 40 is arranged centrally on the anchor-shoe 13, and it isconnected loosely thereto by a plurality of staple-shaped bolts 43,whichembrace the bar 40 and are secured firmly to the series of barsforming the anchor-shoe. It will be observed that the pivotal bolt 42and the Vhinge-bar 40 lie at right angles to each other, and theseelements with their coacting parts provide a universal joint between theanchor-shoe and the beam -section 32. This universal joint adapts theanchor-shoe to be turned to different angles or positions for thepurpose of securing a firm bearing on the ground, and the jointed beamis pivotally connected with the shoe by the bolt 42 ends thereof, by'horizontal braces 44.

624,507 i i 'e to enable the beam-sections to be drawn in line with eachother without disturbing the position of the anchor-shoe or displacingit on the ground. i

The outer end of the shoe-beam is connected with the vertical posts 13or 14, near the lower The braces are fitted loosely to the hinge-bolt42, and at their inner ends they are connected adj ustably to the pairof posts by a bolt `43, which passes through the posts and may be fittedin any one ot a series of apertures which are provided in the braces 44near their inner ends.

To stay the shoe-beams against lateral vibration due to lnovement of thescow or barge, and thereby obviate undue strain on the hinge-joints ofthe beams and the parts which. coact therewith, I provide a guideframeon each side of the barge to slidably receive the shoe-carrying beam 16or 1.7. This guideframe consists of a pair of horizontal timbers45 andthe inclined struts 4G. The horizontal timbers are united to thevertical posts 13 14 by the hinge-plates 47, while the inclined struts46 are fastened firmly to the uprights or posts by bolts, as at 48. Theslidable inclined beam is Iitted between the struts and the timbersofthe guide-frame, and this frame is provided at its outer end with aloose guide pulley or sheave 4E). Over this pulley passes anelevating-cable 50, which has oneA end attached to a clevis 51, looselyconnected to the hinged joint 33 between the members of the sectionalshoe-beam or to the beam 1G or 17.-l This elevating-cable extendsto andis passed around a sheave 52, which is provided on the barge or scow,and the sheaves for the two cables are situated at or near the bow inthe middle-of the deck von the barge or scow. A haulage-cable 53 isattached to a clevis 54, which is loosely fitted on the hingebolt 3G,which connects the plates of the hinge 33, that unites the two membersof the shoebeam, and this haulage-cable is passed on a .sheave 55 and isthen coiled on a drum 56,

which is situated across the deck at or near the middle of the barge,and which drum is operated by engine-power of the barge for the purposeof drawing on the series of cables in order to bring the two members ofthe shoe-beam into alinement with each other for the purpose of raisingthe barge or scow and imposing a portionof the weight of the dredger ontheanchor beams and shoes. The

\ cables 53 from the two anchor-beams are thus guided individually bythe sheaves to the single drum 55, and this drum is arranged to operateall of the cables.

The operation of my apparatus may be described as follows: The dredgerhaving assumed the desired position, the series of cables areslackened,an d the anchor-beams and the shoes thereof are allowed toslide endwise in the pivotal guide-plates and the guideframes, so thatthe shoes maybe extended or projected a proper distance beyond the sidesof the dredger. These shoes are adapted to rest rmly on the banks of thestream. or eX- cavation, and the braces 44 are adjusted to connectl thelower ends of the hinged sectional beams 16 17 with the uprights orposts 13 14. The locking-bails or clevises 29V engage with the toothedplates of the anchorbeams to prevent inward .movement thereof, and theselocking-hails transmit the inward thrust of the anchor-beams to theuprights or posts 13 14. The haulage-cables 53 are now drawn inwardly bythe drum for the purpose of bringing the members of the hingedanchor-beams into line with each other, and the movement of eachbeam-section islimited or arrested by the arms 37 engaging with thestuds'38. It will be observed that each anchor-beam has its lower endpivoted to the anchor-shoe, while its upper end is supported byguide-plates, which have pivotal connection with the fixed posts oruprights, whereby the beam-sections are adapted to turn when the cable53 is drawn taut, and thus permit the beam-sections to assume the.alined positions without torsional strain on the parts of theapparatus. The operation ofstraightening the jointed anchor-beams by theaction of the haulage-cables 53 serves to raise the dredge a limiteddistance-say about a footin the water, and a portion of the weight ofthe dredger is thus imposed on theanchor-beams and the shoes, wherebythe dredge is anchored iirmly in place against tendency to- IOO wardlateral displacement owing to the swinging of the crane or boom whendepositing the excised material upon the bank.

In lieu of the pivoted plates and the series of bolts therein to serveas the pivotal support torV the slidable inner members of the shoe-beamsI may use the pivotal bail 53. (Shown by Fig. 7 of the drawings.) Thisbail 5S is arranged between the pair of uprights and is pivotallyconnected thereto, and in the bail rests the inner member of thesho'e-beam so that it may slide in the bail and is held in place therebyfor the locking-bail to engage with the notched plates on the shoe-beam.

Changes may be made in the form and proportion of some of the parts,while their essential features are retained and the spirit of theinvention embodied. Hence I do not desire to be limited to the preciseform of al1 the parts as shown, reserving the `right to vary therefrom.

What I claim is- 1. In an anchor for excavators, the combination with anupright or post, of a jointed anchor-beam slidably confined on said postor upright, a shoe connected to the outer extremity'of said jointedbeam, means for applying strain to the joint of said sectional beam, anda locking device to sustain the inward thrust of the beam and shoe,substantially as described.

2. In an anchor for excavators, the combination with a post or upright,of a pivotal guide supported thereon, a jointed anchor- IIC beamslidably confined in said guide, and a locking device to sustain theinward thrust of the anchor-beam, substantially as described.

3. In an anchor for excavators, th'e combination with a post or upright,ot' an anchorbeam slidably fitted to said post or upright, and ananchor-shoe united by a universal joint to the outer extremity of theanchorbeam, substantially as described. 4

4. In an anchor for excavators, a jointed sectional anchor-beam havingits members joined together by a stop-hinge constructed to limit themovement of the beam members when alined, in combination with apost orupright on which one of the beam members is slidably confined, ananchor-shoe connected to the free extremity of the -other beam member,and a haulage-cable connected with the hinged joint between the beammembers, for the purpose described, substantially as set forth.

5. In an anchor for excavators, a sectional anchor-beam and a stop-hingeconsisting of plates applied to the contiguous ends ot the beam members,a pivotal bolt connecting the hinge-plates, and coacting stop devices onthe respective hinge-plates to limit the movement of the beam memberswhen alined with yeach other, in combination with a post or the otherbeam member, a haulage-cable, and` a clevis connecting saidhaulage-cable with the pivotal bolt of the stop-hinge, substantially asdescribed.

6. In an anchor for excavators, the combination with uprights or posts,of connected guide-plates pivotally supported in said posts, ananchor-beam provided with a rack and slidably fitted -Within saidconnected plates to be supported pivotally thereby on said posts, a shoecarried by said beam, and a lockingdetent supported by the posts andarranged to engage with the rack, substantially as described.

7. In an anchor for excavators, the combination with uprights orposts,vof wear-plates fixed to the opposing faces of said posts,connectedguide-plates pivoted to the posts and lying within thewear-plates thereon, an anchor-beam provided with a rack and slidablyfitted within the pivotal plates, a shoe carried by the beam, and alocking-bail hung on the posts for engagement with the rack and providedwith a weighted arm, substantially as described.

8. In an anchor for excavators, the combination with an upright or post,of a sectional jointed anchor-beam supported on said upright forslidable and pivotal movement thereon, a shoe carried by the outer endof said jointed beam, an elevating-cable connected with said beam nearthe joint between its members, and a haulage-cable connected to thejoint between the members ot said beam, substantially as described.

9. In an anchor for excavators, the combination with an upright, of asectional jointed anchor-beam, a guide-frame carried by said upright andslidably receiving the jointed anchor-beam, a shoe mounted on theanchorbeam, an elevating-cable guided by the frame and connected to theanchor-beam, and a haulage-cable connected with the sectional beam atthe joint thereof, substantially as described.

l0. In an anchor for excavators, the combination with an upright, of aguide-frame supported thereon, a jointed sectional anchorbeam slidablyiitted to the upright and the guide-frame, an elevating-cable guided onlsaid frame and having a .clevis which is connected with theanchor-beam, a haulage-cable connected to the joint of said sectionalbeam, and a shoe having a jointed connection with the outer end of thesectional beam, substantially as described.

ll. In an anchor for excavators, the combination with an anchor-beam, ofva shoe, a hinge-bar pivoted on said shoe, and a hingepintle lying atright angles to the hinge-bar and connected to said beam and the bar,substantially as described.

l2. In an anchor for excavators, the-combination with an anchor-beam, ofthe hingeplates fixed thereto, a shoe, a hinge-bar pivoted on the shoeand provided with hingeplates, and a pintle or bolt lying at rightangles to the hin ge-bar and connecting the plates of the beam and saidbar, substantially as described.

13. In an anchor for excavators, the combination with uprights, ananchor-beam, and a shoe, of a universal joint betweenthe shoe and beam,and braces connected to the nprights and to one of the hinge-bolts ofthe1 universal joint, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing' as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY C. LE HMAN.

Witnesses: I

CHARLEs E. COMPTON, JOHN H. MILLER.

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